In November 1974, voters in Hamilton County overwhelmingly supported plans for a new, $1.25 million courthouse building to be constructed on the outskirts of Webster City. At the time, the existing courthouse building was 98 years old and when an architectural firm surveyed the structure in 1969, they concluded “any direct addition to or attempted remodeling of the present courthouse would not be in the best interests of Hamilton County.” The firm cited fire hazards, outdated mechanical and electric systems, a roof in need of complete replacement, and lack of handicapped accessibility as key reasons for construction of a new courthouse.

The two-story modern Hamilton County Courthouse opened in 1976 near the intersection of State Highway 17 and the U.S. Highway 20 bypass in Webster City. The split-level building was designed by a Des Moines-based architectural firm and constructed of brick and concrete on a foundation of black Georgia stone. The old courthouse was demolished the same year.